My name is Brooke Willows. I graduated 2 years ago from the Hocotate University of Aeronautics, the planet's, heck, the star system's best uni for space travel. I know everything there is to know about space, quantum physics, how a star ship flies, black holes, the loss of entropy, the process of mapping of solar systems in the known universe, and xenobiology. The stars are my passion. Space is my life.
"Pikpik carrots! Get your pikpik carrots here!"
And I sell Pikpik carrots on the street corner for 2 pokos a piece.
"Hey Brooke, are you going to end your shift in 5 minutes, or do you want to stay a bit?"
"Oh no. Can't I do this a little longer?" I replied in a dry, sarcastic tone.
"You're hogging the fun. Let me do another round. And remember to come back at seven to help bring in the Pikpiks before dark, we can't leave them out over night like we did last week. All the nocturnal creatures come and eat them at night. And when I say nocturnal creatures, I mean homeless people."
That's my friend Seren. We were roomies at Hocotate U. Despite her major being botany, and mine being space travel, we hit it off crazy well. She's the closest thing I've ever had to a sister, and we've stuck together ever since we met. After graduating, we ending up staying together and we bounced around a couple of jobs before landing this one at a Pikpik stand. We barely manage to pay the rent. Not exactly the future either of us had intended.
As Seren begrudgingly suited up into our ridiculous work uniform (an apron, gardening gloves, and a helmet light) a few women approached the stand.
"Imma get this last group, Seren, then I'm clocking out."
"Aight." she responded.
"Hello ladies! I'm Brooke from Mrs. Mishtick's Pikpiks, how can I-"
"Brooke Meadows?" asked the customer.
Oh no. Don't tell me-
"It's me, Katie? Oh my god! Is this where you work now? Hahaha! NO, WAY!"
"Hello to you too, Katie." I cringed.
Katie and I go way back. She was the bane of my existence in college. She was the top of the class, but mostly because her mother made quite a few donations to the school. She's not as smart as her grades reflect.
"Yep, this is what I'm doing. May I ask what fortune has blessed you with?
Katie took a smug pose. "Well, daddy made me Executive Director of the Computer Design department for Bigwell Freight. You know, Hocatate's largest space travel agency?"
"You mean second biggest? Hocatate Freight is the largest-"
She broke out in rage. "Daddy says not to mention those stupid idiots at that stupid company! The only reason they have money is because they found some junk on some stupid planet that saved them from tanking! We had them in debt before they lucked out! They're a stupid company!"
"Well, your ability with language has definitely not improved since your education. Did you even read any of the books in Professor Hamwell's cla-"
She slapped me hard across the face. Her friends all 'ooh'd' and then laughed.
She began walking away. "Come on girls. I don't have time to deal with jealous people who couldn't make anything of their degree."
Seren rushed to my side. "Brooke, are you okay? Forget about her. You know those executive jobs are just titles, she probably does less work than we do-"
I gained my composure. I grabbed the heaviest Pikpik carrot from the stand, and threw it square in the back of her head. She tumbled to the ground, all her things flying everywhere. Everyone on the sidewalk went quiet, looking at me.
I turned to Seren, who's face was a fantastic mix of awe and amusement.
"Was that too much?" I asked tepidly.
"No. But we're so fired."